Holiday Party - Gifts for Consultants

[pamela]

Last year, I bought cards for each consultant from my Catholic church that benefitted a group of families in Honduras. The money from the sales of these cards goes to feeding these families. I thought it very appropriate for us to help feed others in another country and everyone liked the idea because it had nothing to do with religion and everything to do with helping others!

 

[ChefLisa]

WOW Lisa! What a find!

I was just at Kohls and they had some great things that I think I will go back to get for my team. They even mention "pampering" in their marketing of them!

They are bath item gift sets. One is a set of 7 different holiday scented body butters and another is a set of the same 7 scents of shower gels. I thought I could get 3 sets of each and split them into 21 different gifts in cute gift bags and maybe add those stickers that I already have. If people don't show up I can give some to my DIL's and granddaughters so I wouldn't be stuck with them. Each set is $12 (not on sale).

I love shopping at Kohls. I might need to look there because I have a hospitality Consultant who is a guy.

 

[BethCooks4U]

I love shopping at Kohls. I might need to look there because I have a hospitality Consultant who is a guy.

Yeah, I have a guy too... what would be a similar choice for him?

 

[ChefLisa]

So far I have not decided what to get for him. Our party is not until Dec. 17 so I have a little time. Please share with me if you come up with an idea and I will do the same.

Lisa

 

[DebPC]

A couple of years ago a director friend of mine gave her down line miniature kitchen utensil ornaments. She had purchased a set of 8 or 10 for herself and one or two to split up and gave 1 or 2 to each consultant. I think they were about $15 for the set. They might be found somewhere on the internet. They were cute and nice quality.

 

[toniascookin]

Last year we met at Atlanta Bread Company, everyone bought their own food and we had an ornament exchange. Drew numbers so there was no way anyone could complain about who got what. However (!), the price for the ornament was $5 or less and some of the ornaments were beautiful and some were pretty awful!

So, this year, we're going to a local pizza place, have a room just for us, everyone buys their own food (bring a guest, too) and there are no gifts!

Just socializing!

 

[cmdtrgd]

Why not something from the Director's Store. It will benefit their business, be unisex and can still be affordable. I like the carabeaner (sp?) pens.

 

[its_me_susan]

I need help from my brilliant fellow directors!

Each year at the holidays I have a holiday party for my TEAM (This year I am doing brunch) and give them all a PC logo gift. Last year I gave the $5 key chains and the year before the $5 calculator from Town & Country. As you all know, Merrill is a little pricier!

In trying to keep ALL costs down as much as possible, and also looking at the active consultants on my team, here is my dilemma:

1. I really would like to get something for them...

2. I'm afraid that I will have some who haven't worked in FOREVER come to the party because they know I give something to them.

You all know how frustrated I am with them per other posts... do I just suck it up and get everyone something, get something only for those who are working?

I guess I don't want to "reward" those who aren't working with a gift. But I can't single them out...

Any suggestions and what do all of you do?

I loved my first year my director gave us PC Mugs filled with candy, did recognition (envelopes with PC dollars), and my holiday card had a $5 starbucks card. Was really nice.

Last year she gave us these "words" for the wall (new home business... can't remember the name). Not really my style, but cool. I put the word "dream" on my lamp.

Me - still thinking. Been buying little business-useful things to show I appreciate them for months! I have a draw full.... 3 of those "booking trees" Julie weier recommended - I got 3 beautiful antique like ones on ebay. Some PC-related Nancy's rubber stamps (I've gotten my team to love them) ~ some to make invitations, products. I have extra Booster stickers. I have these CUTE mini leather briefcases at Kohls this summer that can hold business cards!!!! They have locks and snap open. I gave one to MY director to thank her for the time she spends with ME. Michaels had these cute calendar mousepads where we can have our consultants write in when they have shows... I got one for each person doing shows to keep, and got the 2 directors I do meetings with one too.

I just love gifts! Why can't $$ grow on trees? I was thinking $10 gc to Merril or Staples... Would love to help them get more logowear!
I found these great tiny books at the Job Lot (normally $5) - Habits of Successful People by Covey... I stashed a bunch of those.

 

[cmdtrgd]

I think the idea is to gather things throughout the year when they are on sale. That will keep the money down and you will have stuff to choose from rather than looking for the "perfect" gift.

 

[annew]

I'm all about gathering stuff throughout the year too.
But I do like the Merrill $$ so they can get themselves something.
I did get them little inspirational words @ a craft fair I was going to make up different baskets depending on their year.....

 

[BethCooks4U]

I want to "Pamper" my consultants this Christmas (the majority are new since January - at least that come to the meeting). I am all about business items and logo items most of the year but I wanted to do something different.

Kohls has a big sale today and I was able to get the sets of shower gel and of body butter at 30-40% off (depended on the sets). I also picked up some shower puffs for 2/$1 and I have Pampered Chef nail files (from the old VIP store) so I'm set and at under $5 each)! As far as my male consultant, he doesn't come to the meetings but I will have an ornament for him (hopefully a chef).

I also picked up a silver chain at 60% off for the consultant who just earned her silver whisk - darn! I should have picked up a couple for those who are getting close!

 

[hankins]

Consultant GiftsThis year I went to the Dollar Tree store and they have Rattoutie (however you spell it) gift bag with a plastic chef hat cookie cutter attached. I'm going to melt white chocolate bark with peppermint crushed in it and wrap in celephane. This way everyone gets a gift and it only cost me $1.00 each.

 

[OPEFONANGELLA]

I have about 35 in my entire line, with one fairly new Director, so gifts are tough to gage for me. I dont want to seem cheap, especially since my team totally rocks my world.

So, that said, this year I did up little bags with a package of invites, package of recipe cards, pacakge of wed. reg. cards, one misc pc something (keychain, pen, etc), a glass votive candle holder (personalized from Oriental Trading ~ You are a Star! Pampered Chef 2007 with gold stars all around it) and a hand painted spoon (painted as a snowman or a Santa! ~ Totally adorable!) I think I have about $7 per bag is all. But it made a great display. I have so many out of state consultants, that I will also end up sending those out to them, so that is an added expense as well... but I am hoping they will be happy with that.

We are also doing a small gift exchange, and of course I have a bigger gift for my one gal who is a director herself...

 

[jane]

giftsThis year I purchased the coffee mugs from Merrill ($10) each, "discover the chef in you".
We are having the xmas party tomorrow, my house.
I'm giving out doorprizes (just to make it fun).
Also, an ornament exchange, pc theme.
But, its fun to hear what everyone else is giving for gifts on this board.
I give PC anniversary gifts, birthday gifts each month, just important to make them feel great about themselves.
I'm still doing a quick recognition for sales in November.
jane